Farmers Halt Asia's Largest Ethanol Plant in Hanumangarh Amid Pollution Fears

• Proposed Asia's largest ethanol factory in Rathikheda, Hanumangarh, halted by farmer protests despite prior land deals and MOU.
• Farmers fear severe water and air pollution, and obstruction of Indira Gandhi Canal distributaries affecting 700 acres of farmland.
• Protest turned aggressive after arrests in November; factory site now desolate with burnt buildings and construction materials being removed.
• Some farmers allege opaque land deals by brokers, lack of awareness about the ethanol factory, and no formal Gram Panchayat consent.
• State government formed a committee to investigate pollution; farmers plan further peaceful protests, joined by Samyukt Kisan Morcha and Congress.

Why It Matters: Farmers' strong opposition to the Hanumangarh ethanol factory highlights conflict between development and local concerns.